Low energy explosive transfer adapter

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a low energy explosive transfer adapter. The low energy explosive transfer adapter may comprise an adapter housing comprising a firing pin chamber situated within the adapter housing comprising an inlet and a stopping surface opposite the inlet. The low energy explosive transfer adapter may further comprise a primer chamber connected to the firing pin chamber and an output tube connected to the primer chamber.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to low energy explosive transfer adaptersand methods, and more particularly, to low energy explosive transferadapters in aircraft egress systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Modern aircraft egress systems typically utilize deflagrating inputsignals from low energy explosive transfer lines to directly igniteenergetic materials in downstream components. However, input signalsfrom low energy explosive transfer lines can often be inconsistent,affecting the performance of components receiving the input signal.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A low energy explosive transfer adapter may comprise an adapter housingcomprising a firing pin chamber situated within the adapter housingcomprising an inlet and a stopping surface opposite the inlet, a primerchamber connected to the firing pin chamber, and an output tubeconnected to the primer chamber.

In various embodiments, the firing pin chamber may be configured tocontain a firing pin. The adapter housing may comprise an adapteraperture for receiving a shear pin configured to be inserted into ashear pin groove of the firing pin and position the firing pin in thefiring pin chamber. The low energy explosive transfer adapter may beconfigured to be directly inserted into an existing explosive signaltransfer system. The low energy explosive transfer adapter may beconfigured to generate a consistent output signal regardless ofvariability of an input signal provided by a low energy explosivetransfer line. The shear pin may be configured to mechanically fail at athreshold force.

An explosive transfer assembly may comprise a low energy inputcomponent, a low energy explosive transfer adapter coupled to the lowenergy input component, and an initiator component coupled to the lowenergy explosive transfer adapter.

In various embodiments, the low energy input component may comprise aninput component housing comprising a first frusto-conical area, an inputtube, a second frusto-conical area, a transition tube, and an openvolume chamber. The low energy explosive transfer adapter may comprisean adapter housing comprising a firing pin chamber comprising an inlet,a primer chamber extending from the firing pin chamber, and an outputtube extending from the primer chamber. The first frusto-conical area,the input tube, the second frusto-conical area, and the transition tubemay be configured to receive a low energy explosive transfer line. Theopen volume chamber may be configured to contain expanding gasesresulting from the low energy explosive transfer line igniting. Thefiring pin chamber may contain a firing pin. The firing pin may beconfigured to impact a primer in the primer chamber. The primer may beconfigured to ignite and transfer an explosive signal to the initiatorcomponent through the output tube. The low energy explosive transferadapter may further comprise an adapter aperture for receiving a shearpin configured to be inserted into a shear pin groove of the firing pinand position the firing pin in the firing pin chamber. The low energyexplosive transfer adapter may be configured to be threaded to the lowenergy input component and the initiator component.

A method of transferring a low energy explosive signal may compriseinserting a firing pin into a low energy explosive transfer adapter,coupling the low energy explosive transfer adapter to a low energy inputcomponent, coupling the low energy explosive transfer adapter to aninitiator component, and inserting a low energy explosive transfer lineinto the low energy input component.

In various embodiments, the method may comprise igniting the low energyexplosive transfer line and impacting a primer with the firing pin. Themethod may comprise placing an O-ring into an O-ring groove on thefiring pin. The method may comprise inserting a primer into a primerchamber of the low energy explosive transfer adapter.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise.These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will becomemore apparent in light of the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. It should be understood, however, the following descriptionand drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, andconstitute a part of, this specification, illustrate variousembodiments, and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a firing pin in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a low energy explosivetransfer adapter in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a low energy explosivetransfer adapter comprising a firing pin, an O-ring, and a shear pin inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a low energy explosivetransfer adapter coupled to a low energy input component in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an explosive transferassembly in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method of transferring a lowenergy explosive signal in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way ofillustration. While these various embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that logical, chemical, electrical, and mechanical changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

For example, the steps recited in any of the method or processdescriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarilylimited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singularincludes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than onecomponent or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, anyreference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may includepermanent, removable, temporary, partial, full, and/or any otherpossible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to withoutcontact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimalcontact.

For example, in the context of the present disclosure, methods, systems,and articles may find particular use in connection with aircraft egresssystems. However, various aspects of the disclosed embodiments may beadapted for optimized performance in a variety of other systems. Assuch, numerous applications of the present disclosure may be realized.

In various embodiments, it may be desired that a signal from a lowenergy explosive be transferred to a high energy explosive. Low energyexplosives, at times, may experience inconsistent explosive and/ordeflagrating input energies which may affect transfer of energy to thehigh energy explosive. Thus, in various embodiments, low energyexplosive transfer systems are provided that may transfer a signal froma low energy explosive to a high energy explosive in a manner than tendsto be consistent.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of a firing pin 100 isdepicted in accordance with various embodiments. Firing pin 100 maycomprise a substantially cylinder shape and may be configured to beprojected through firing pin chamber 204 (with momentary reference toFIG. 2). Firing pin 100 may comprise first face 102 and second face 104opposite first face 102. Nub 106 may extend from second face 104 and beconfigured to impact a primer, such as primer 300 (with momentaryreference to FIG. 3). Firing pin 100 may further comprise an O-ringgroove 108 and a shear pin groove 110. Firing pin 100 may be made fromvarious materials, including but not limited to, steel, aluminum,titanium, alloys of the aforementioned or other materials capable ofwithstanding impact with primer 300 (with momentary reference to FIG. 3)with limited deformation.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of a low energy explosivetransfer adapter 200 is depicted. Low energy explosive transfer adapter200 may form a portion of an egress system for an aircraft, however, lowenergy explosive transfer adapter 200 is not limited in this regard. Lowenergy explosive transfer adapter 200 may be configured to transfer anexplosive signal in the direction depicted by the arrow in FIG. 2. Lowenergy explosive transfer adapter 200 may comprise an adapter housing202. In various embodiments, adapter housing 202 may comprise firing pinchamber 204 configured to contain firing pin 100. Firing pin chamber 204may comprise an inlet 206 and a stopping surface 208 opposite inlet 206.Stopping surface 208 may be configured to stop forward momentum offiring pin 100 in firing pin chamber 204. Adapter housing 202 mayfurther comprise a primer chamber 210 connected to firing pin chamber204 and an output tube 212 connected to primer chamber 210. Primerchamber 210 may be configured to contain a primer, such as primer 300,with additional reference to FIG. 3. Primer 300 may be in the form of apercussion primer, such as a percussion primer available under thetrademark M42C1 from Olin Corporation, however, primer 300 is notlimited in this regard. Adapter housing 202 may further comprise anadapter aperture 214 configured to receive shear pin 304. As will bediscussed with reference to FIG. 3, low energy explosive transferadapter 200 may be configured to be coupled to other components of theegress system. As a result, an exterior surface of adapter housing 202may be at least partially threaded or otherwise designed for interfacingwith other components, such as for example, low energy input component400 (FIG. 4) and/or initiator component 500 (FIG. 5). Adapter housing202 may comprise any material capable of withstanding pressure forcesresulting from combusting gases in adapter housing 202 and impact offiring pin 100 on primer 300. For example, adapter housing 202 maycomprise steel, aluminum, titanium, alloys of the aforementioned and/orother materials.

Referring to FIG. 3, low energy explosive transfer adapter 200 may beconfigured to contain firing pin 100 in firing pin chamber 204 andprimer 300 in primer chamber 210. Firing pin 100 may comprise an O-ring302 situated within O-ring groove 108 and shear pin 304 extendingthrough adapter aperture 214 and into shear pin groove 110. O-ring 302may be configured to seal gases between primer 300 and firing pin 100 asfiring pin 100 is projected in firing pin chamber 204. O-ring 302 mayfurther guide firing pin 100 along an interior of firing pin chamber204. Shear pin 304 may be configured to position firing pin 100 in apredetermined position relative to firing pin chamber 204 andmechanically inhibit movement of firing pin 100 relative to adapterhousing 202.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of low energy explosivetransfer adapter 200 is depicted coupled to low energy input component400 in accordance with various embodiments. Low energy transfer adapter200 may be coupled to low energy input component 400 in any manner. Forexample, low energy transfer adapter 200 may be threaded to low energyinput component 400 by a threaded portion of an exterior surface ofadapter housing 202. Low energy transfer adapter 200 may also be pressfit, welded, brazed or otherwise coupled to low energy input component400 such that expanding gases cannot escape between low energy explosivetransfer adapter 200 and low energy input component 400. Low energyinput component 400 may comprise an input component housing 402comprising first frusto-conical area 404, input tube 406, secondfrusto-conical area 408, transition tube 410, and open volume chamber412. Input tube 406 may be configured to receive and contain a lowenergy explosive transfer line 414 (indicated by the dashed lines).First frusto-conical area 404 and second frusto-conical area 408 may actas guides as the low energy explosive transfer line 414 is inserted intolow energy input component 400. The low energy explosive transfer line414 may be configured to terminate in transition tube 410 and transferexpanding gases into open volume chamber 412 as the low energy explosivetransfer line 414 deflagrates.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of an explosive transferassembly is depicted with low energy explosive transfer adapter 200coupled to low energy input component 400 and an initiator component500. Initiator component 500 may comprise initiator component output 502in fluid communication with output tube 212 of low energy transferadapter 200. Low energy transfer adapter 200, low energy input component400, and initiator component 500 may be configured such that low energyinput component 400 and initiator component 500 do not includestructural modification to be coupled with low energy transfer adapter200. In other words, low energy transfer adapter 200 may be designedsuch that low energy transfer adapter 200 may be inserted between apreexisting connection between low energy input component 400 andinitiator component 500. For example, low energy transfer adapter 200may be threaded or otherwise coupled to low energy input component 400and/or transfer adapter 200.

With further reference to FIG. 5, multiple arrows depict the transfer ofan explosive signal through low energy input component 400, low energyexplosive transfer adapter 200, and initiator component 500. Proceedingin the direction as indicated by the arrow, low energy explosivetransfer line 414 may be inserted into first frusto-conical area 404,input tube 406, second frusto-conical area 408, and terminates intransition tube 410. Firing pin 100 may be positioned and mechanicallyconstrained within firing pin chamber 204 by shear pin 304. Primer 300may be positioned in primer chamber 210.

Upon ignition, low energy explosive transfer line 414 may deflagratethrough first frusto-conical area 404, input tube 406, secondfrusto-conical area 408, and transition tube 410. Deflagration of thelow energy explosive transfer line 414 in transition tube 410 may expelheated gases into open volume chamber 412. As the gases expand due tothe temperature increase, pressure in open volume chamber 412 mayincrease and exert a force on first face 102 of firing pin 100. In turn,firing pin 100 may exert a shear force on shear pin 304. Upon reaching athreshold force (for example, approximately 35 lbf (˜155 N) for asingle-shear shear pin or 70 lbf (˜310 N) for a double-shear shear pin),shear pin 304 may mechanically fail and firing pin 100 may be released.Pressure in open volume chamber 412 may project firing pin 100 towardprimer 300 and nub 106 may impact primer 300. Momentum of firing pin 100may be stopped by impact of second face 104 on stopping surface 208.Primer 300 may ignite as a result of the impact with nub 106, therebytransferring sparks through output tube 212 and initiator componentoutput 502 to transfer an explosive signal to an output pyrotechnicmaterial or high explosive device or the like.

As previously stated with reference to FIG. 5, low energy transferadapter 200, low energy input component 400, and initiator component 500may be configured such that low energy input component 400 and initiatorcomponent 500 do not include structural modification to be coupled withlow energy transfer adapter 200. This allows low energy adapter 200 tobe directly inserted into existing explosive signal transfer systems,such as those in aircraft egress systems. Primers, such as primer 300,are known, in part, for their consistent output signals. In contrast,output signals of low energy explosive transfer lines can beinconsistent, resulting in variable performance of downstream componentsin the egress system. Accordingly, various embodiments of low energytransfer adapter 200 may increase consistency in explosive signaltransfer systems utilizing low energy explosive inputs without the needfor modification of existing components.

A block diagram illustrating a method 600 for transferring a low energyexplosive signal is depicted in FIG. 6 in accordance with variousembodiments. Method 600 may comprise placing an O-ring into an O-ringgroove on a firing pin. The method may further comprise inserting aprimer into a primer chamber of the low energy explosive transferadapter. The method may further comprise inserting the firing pin into alow energy explosive transfer adapter. The method may further comprisecoupling the low energy explosive transfer adapter to a low energy inputcomponent. The method may further comprise coupling the low energyexplosive transfer adapter to an initiator component. The method mayfurther comprise inserting a shear pin through an adapter aperture intoa shear pin groove on the firing pin. The method may further compriseinserting a low energy explosive transfer line into the low energy inputcomponent. The method may further comprise igniting the low energyexplosive transfer line. The method may further comprise impacting aprimer with the firing pin. Method 600 is not limited in this regard.For example, method 600 may include more or less steps than the stepslisted above or may perform the steps in a different order.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts but not necessarily to denote the same or differentmaterials.

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided herein. Inthe detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparentto one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”,“comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low energy explosive transfer adapter,comprising: an adapter housing comprising; a firing pin chamber situatedwithin the adapter housing comprising an inlet and a stopping surfaceopposite the inlet; a primer chamber connected to the firing pinchamber; and an output tube connected to the primer chamber.
 2. The lowenergy explosive transfer adapter of claim 1, wherein the firing pinchamber is configured to contain a firing pin.
 3. The low energyexplosive transfer adapter of claim 2, wherein the adapter housingcomprises an adapter aperture for receiving a shear pin configured to beinserted into a shear pin groove of the firing pin and position thefiring pin in the firing pin chamber.
 4. The low energy explosivetransfer adapter of claim 1, wherein the low energy explosive transferadapter is configured to be directly inserted into an existing explosivesignal transfer system.
 5. The low energy explosive transfer adapter ofclaim 1, wherein the low energy explosive transfer adapter is configuredto generate a consistent output signal regardless of variability of aninput signal provided by a low energy explosive transfer line.
 6. Thelow energy explosive transfer adapter of claim 3, wherein the shear pinis configured to mechanically fail at a threshold force.
 7. An explosivetransfer assembly, comprising: a low energy input component, a lowenergy explosive transfer adapter coupled to the low energy inputcomponent, and an initiator component coupled to the low energyexplosive transfer adapter.
 8. The explosive transfer assembly of claim7, wherein the low energy input component comprises an input componenthousing comprising a first frusto-conical area, an input tube, a secondfrusto-conical area, a transition tube, and an open volume chamber. 9.The explosive transfer assembly of claim 7, wherein the low energyexplosive transfer adapter comprises an adapter housing comprising afiring pin chamber comprising an inlet, a primer chamber extending fromthe firing pin chamber, and an output tube extending from the primerchamber.
 10. The explosive transfer assembly of claim 8, wherein thefirst frusto-conical area, the input tube, the second frusto-conicalarea, and the transition tube are configured to receive a low energyexplosive transfer line.
 11. The explosive transfer assembly of claim10, wherein the open volume chamber is configured to contain expandinggases resulting from the low energy explosive transfer line igniting.12. The explosive transfer assembly of claim 9, wherein the firing pinchamber contains a firing pin.
 13. The explosive transfer assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the firing pin is configured to impact a primer in theprimer chamber.
 14. The explosive transfer assembly of claim 13, whereinthe primer is configured to ignite and transfer an explosive signal tothe initiator component through the output tube.
 15. The explosivetransfer assembly of claim 12, wherein the low energy explosive transferadapter further comprises an adapter aperture for receiving a shear pinconfigured to be inserted into a shear pin groove of the firing pin andposition the firing pin in the firing pin chamber.
 16. The explosivetransfer assembly of claim 7, wherein the low energy explosive transferadapter is configured to be threaded to the low energy input componentand the initiator component.
 17. A method of transferring a low energyexplosive signal, comprising: inserting a firing pin into a low energyexplosive transfer adapter; coupling the low energy explosive transferadapter to a low energy input component; coupling the low energyexplosive transfer adapter to an initiator component; and inserting alow energy explosive transfer line into the low energy input component.18. The method of claim 17, further comprising igniting the low energyexplosive transfer line and impacting a primer with the firing pin. 19.The method of claim 17, further comprising placing an O-ring into anO-ring groove on the firing pin.
 20. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising inserting a primer into a primer chamber of the low energyexplosive transfer adapter.